title: Thumb reconstruction by metacarpal lengthening after traumatic loss at the level of the interphalangeal joint.
abstract: This paper describes a unique procedure utilized on seven occasions to restore thumb function in amputation at or near the level of the interphalangeal joint. Consisting of two phases, the procedure adds approximately 2.5 cm of functional length to the thumb. The metacarpal bone is lengthened approximately 1.5 cm by a bone-lengthening device, and an additional 1 cm is obtained by deepening the thumb web space.
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Service, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock.
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Cobb
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Stocks
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Strauss
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000601:surgery*; D001852:Bone Lengthening / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D001864:Bone Wires; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy; D013933:Thumb